Camelot rose majestically in front of me, even more glorious than I had imagined in my wildest dreams. With a shiver, I pulled my worn cloak tighter around me. It was the middle of winter, and it was very cold. When I had left the little village I had been raised in months ago, it had been the end of summer. I had not even dreamed I would need my cloak. Thankfully, my mother had insisted that I wear it, as Camelot had been farther than I had thought. A creaking wagon passed me as I stood in the middle of the road. It's driver called for me to keep moving. I smiled at him. Even a grumpy farmer could not dampen my joy. I stood in place until the wagon and its swaying load of hay passed below the gates and vanished into the city.
Finally, I took the steps that changed me from the eldest daughter of a peasant farmer to a young lady, searching for work in Camelot. And once I found work, I was certain I would become even more. And be able to send the money back to my family. That was why I was here in the first place. I passed under the gate, following the wagon's tracks. People in bright colors called out prices for luxuries I did not even know existed. Guards in shining chain mail marched through the streets. Elegantly dressed nobles on stunningly beautiful horses appeared to be a common sight.
I should have began to search for work, but I had never been in a city before. All of its splendor and glory drew me into its clutches, and I did not mind. My first hours in Camelot were spend wandering through every paved street and each muddy alley. I fingered fabric whose smooth touch was unknown to my fingers. I gazed in wonder at bright jewels and metals. I saw exotic fruits that did not even seem edible. Before long, the sun had risen to its zenith, casting pale light over the throngs of people that surrounded me. My feet had taken me to the upper parts of Camelot, close to the citadel. Here, the houses were grander and the nobles even more common. I paused at a stall selling pins. Carved metal and small jewels flashed in the weak sunlight. I smiled and brushed a silver flower.
Suddenly, the pounding of hooves reached my ears. I spun, looking up the street towards the noise. Around the corner came the most beautiful horse I had ever seen, and would ever see. Her light grey mane streamed behind her and she held her tail erect as she galloped. Her white coat seemed to catch and reflect the light in a rainbow of colors. She tossed her head and snorted. Reins hung around her feet, connected to a intricate bridle, but she wore no saddle. People scrambled to get out of the way. Shouts of anger and fear filled the street, and now I could hear it from up closer to the castle. The mare drew nearer, and so did the shouts of anger.
Then, a young man came skidding around the corner. He bumped into an older man, said sorry, and took off towards the horse. I couldn't help but smile at his clumsiness. He ran into a crowd of women, knocked over a stall of fruit, and hurdled a hand cart.
The mare drew near to me, still galloping. Instinct took over and I stepped into the road. I reached out as the white beast drew near, and suddenly, the reins were in my hands. I broke into a jog as to not wrench the mare's neck, but she had already slowed. I dropped into a walk, and so did the white horse. She turned her head to look at me with dark eyes framed by long lashes. A fire burned in them, as if a wild spirit was trapped in there.
"Oh thank goodness." The young man ran up, panting for breath. "You caught her." He bent over, setting his hands on his knees as he recovered. "I had to chase her from the castle stables."
"The castle!" I gasped, looking from the man to the mare with new interest.
The man swallowed to wet his throat. "Yes. She's Prince Arthur's new horse. He charged me to train her. Me! His serving boy." He straightened. "Can you believe it? Do I look like a horse person?"
I looked back at the mare, and thought about the recent escapade. I shook my head. "Sorry, but no."
He laughed a little and smiled. "Thats what I thought. But would you tell that to Arthur?"
I gasped. "The prince? Never."
"Aw, come on. He's not that bad, once you get to know him." I took a closer look at the young man. He was scrawny with messy black hair and dirty clothes. But his eyes were a deep blue that seemed to hold my gaze, drawing me in. I blinked and self consciously pushed a stray dirty blonde curl behind my ear.
"But he's Arthur Pendragon."
He shrugged. "He isn't that terrifying."
"Merlin!" Somebody bellowed.
The young man winced slightly. "Perhaps he is a little terrifying."
"Merlin!" A tall blonde man rounded the corner, striding quickly towards us. Two guards followed on his heels. "Merlin, I swear! Of all the servants, you have to be mine! You caught Candlefire?"
"Well, um, yes, well, uh no. She did." Merlin rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and pointed at me with the other. I blushed furiously and ducked my head.
"You? What is your name?"
"Aleusa, my lord." I bowed low, peeking up at him from under my hair.
"Well, Merlin. You seem to have been bested by a girl. Not surprising, actually. Take Candlefire back from Alexa, and get her back into the stables. If you can manage that."
"Yes, Arthur." Merlin reached for the reins. Until then, the white mare had been standing quietly. But the instant his fingers touched the reins, Candlefire bucked, tossed her head, and snorted, pinning her ears flat. I snatched the reins back. Instantly, the mare quieted again.
Prince Arthur frowned. "I guess I will take the stupid horse." He walked over and held his hands out for the reins. Tentatively, I handed them over.
Candlefire reared, lashing out with her front hooves. One caught Prince Arthur in chest, throwing him backwards. She reared up again, hooves poised to land on him. I lunged forward, standing over Prince Arthur and holding my hands up against the horse. I expected to feel a blow, but none came. I lowered my hands slightly. Candlefire whinnied and tossed her head angrily. With cautious steps, I moved towards her, keeping my hands up. Candlefire snorted and eyed me. I reached one side of her head and rested a palm on her nose. I grabbed the reins with the other. "Stop that," I ordered quietly. "Can't you tell that hes the prince?" I looked the mare in her dark eye. Candlefire snorted again, rolling her eyes back. I stared into her eye until I could no longer see white. Then I turned to help Prince Arthur up. He was already standing, staring at me with wide eyes. So was Merlin. For a long minute, none of us spoke. I could hear whispers of the crowd, but only faintly.
"Well, perhaps you should take her back." Arthur gave me a long look. "Are you from Camelot?"
"No, my lord. I came from a distant farm, searching for work so that I might send money back to my family, sire. I only arrived this morning."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "You have work now. Merlin, escort her to the royal stables and introduce her to the Head Stabler. She will be personally responsible for Candlefire, as well as a groom."
I gasped and bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord."
He nodded and turned away. "Once you're done with that, Merlin you may go home for the evening. I have a dinner engagement with father and some nobles, and have to need of you." Prince Arthur turned and strode away, his guards following behind.
Merlin bowed slightly at the prince's back. Then he turned to me. "How did you do that, Aleusa?"
I shrugged, blushing a little. "I don't know. It just kind of happened."
"Well, whatever you did, keep it up." He grinned.
"I hope I can." I stared after Prince Arthur.
"Is he anything like you expected?" Merlin asked.
"I- I don't know. I've never really tried to imagine him."
Merlin smiled. "Thats interesting. Well, this way to the royal stables." He turned and started walking at a quick pace. I started after him. Candlefire followed quietly.
The stables were bigger and nicer than any house in my home village. I told Merlin so as I stood at the entrance, looking around in awe.
He just smiled. "Welcome to Camelot."
Merlin showed me a large stall at the end, and I let Candlefire loose in it. Merlin disappeared. Leaning against the stall door, I watched the mare take a long drink of water, then lay down to roll. Her legs kicked the air, reminding me of what she had done earlier.
"Your name should be Wildfire, girl." I shook my head. "Candlefire is too tame."
"This is Aleusa, Samuel. Arthur assigned her as a groom here, and as Candlefire's personal slave. Although, he does think her name is Alexa."
I turned at Merlin's voice and stared at the chest of a large man. Dark, muscular arms were crossed over his dirty vest. I looked up at Samuel's face. Black eyes under his heavy brows looked warmly at me. "Little thing, aren't you?" His voice rumbled over the words like a blacksmith.
"Sir?" I asked meekly.
"I'm sure you'll do fine, especially since Arthur picked you out."
"She can control Candlefire." Merlin supplied. I glared at him.
Samuel chuckled. "If you can, I'd be right please. That horse has been nothing but trouble since she came in last week. Not sure why Arthur thinks Merlin here can handle him: I certainly can't! How much experience do you have experience with horses?"
"I just know farm horses, sir. I came from the countryside, looking for work here."
Samuel eyed me. "Then why did Arthur hire you?"
"Because she can control Candlefire, Samuel." Merlin grinned at me. "You should have seen it. Aleusa saved the prince from being crushed under her hooves."
"Oh really?"
I heard Candlefire snort behind me. "Yes, sir. And I think her name should be Wildfire."
Samuel raised an eyebrow. "And why do you think that, youngster?"
I swallowed hard. I hadn't meant to say that. "Because she has too much energy to just be a candle flame. Sir."
He pursed his lips and half closed one eye as he thought. "I think your right, girl. Wildfire she is." The mare put her head over my shoulder. I reached up and rubbed her cheek. Samuel smiled, his white teeth shining against his dark skin. "Never seen her do that before. Think she likes you." He winked. "Brush her down, then go home. I'll see you back here at dawn. The king is going hunting tomorrow, and we'll need every hand to get things ready."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." I gave a little curtsy. Samuel looked pleased as he turned away. A quick look around revealed a boar's hair brush. I grabbed it and entered Wildfire's stall. "Samuel seems nice."
"He is." Merlin leaned over the stall door. "You really have pretty much no experience with horses?"
I shook my head, running the brush over Wildfire's shoulder. "I know which end has teeth, and which has a tail. I can make one or two plow, and can groom them. I even know the basics of shoeing. But thats it."
"You've never ridden?"
"Not enough for it amount to any skill."
"Oh." Merlin stood in silence while I finished brushing the white horse. When I had replaced the brush and checked her water, he spoke again. "Do you have a place for the night?"
"No. I need to find someplace cheap." I touched a pocket in my dress. The three bronze pieces inside rattled together. It was my life's savings.
"Why don't you stay with me tonight? It would be easier than trying to find an inn. And you'd be safer too."
I looked at Merlin, trying to judge if there was any mischief in his dark blue eyes. I only saw sincerity. "Alright. Thank you."
A delighted smile lit up his face. "Great! Come on, Aleusa. My home isn't much, but its warm and dry. I'm sure Gaius will like you." He reached out and grabbed my hand, horse dirt and all. Merlin pulled me out of the stables, calling out a cheerful, 'good bye!' to Samuel.
